Enhancement of osteogenic potential and surface wettability of polycaprolactone using hydroxyapatite co-doped with vanadium and yttrium

Abstract

Although advanced composites are becoming more common in therapeutic applications, there is still a significant need for materials that combine improved mechanical properties with biological functionality for successful bone tissue engineering. This study aimed to develop a novel polymeric nanocomposite by incorporating vanadium and yttrium co-doped hydroxyapatite (HVY) into a polycaprolactone (PCL) matrix using the solvent casting method. For the first time, rare-earth metal yttrium was co-doped with vanadium to enhance the mechanical and biological performance of polymer composites for bone tissue engineering. The incorporation of HVY significantly improved mechanical strength from 26.30 ± 0.37 MPa to 48.58 ± 0.42 MPa, while enhancing surface hydrophilicity, as evidenced by a reduction in the contact angle from 102.98° to 62.16°. Porosity and degradation studies over 21 days demonstrated a satisfactory and controlled degradation rate suitable for bone regeneration applications. Biomineralization capacity was confirmed through the deposition of calcium and phosphate on the composite surface after immersion in simulated body fluid (SBF). Antibacterial tests revealed potent activity against S. aureus and P. aeruginosa, with inhibition zones of 9.05 ± 0.8 mm and 7.15 ± 0.6 mm, respectively. Hemocompatibility testing indicated a hemolysis rate of less than 5 %, while over 80 % viability of rat bone marrow-derived stromal cells (rBMSC) confirmed the non-toxic nature of the composites. Osteogenic differentiation assays, including ALP and ARS, showed outstanding performance, suggesting the significant potential of the prepared material for promoting bone development and regeneration. This study bridges a critical gap in the development of biomaterials by introducing a rare-earth metal co-doping strategy, providing a promising biomaterial for bone tissue engineering applications. The findings underscore its potential as a highly effective, easily fabricated biomaterial that meets all the essential criteria for successful bone tissue engineering.